Combat stress, anxiety and depression at Derby’s mental health Q&A

Stress, anxiety and depression – they’re three of the most common health conditions that Derby residents face and are set to be the focal point of a public question and answer (Q&A) session coming to the city next week.

Health professionals from Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are urging people living in Derby to put their mental health first by attending the free information session which promises to provide a wealth of handy tips and advice on how to improve your general emotional wellbeing and stay well.

The ‘Combatting stress, anxiety and depression’ Q&A session will take place on Tuesday 6 September, from 6.00pm – 7.30pm at Derby West Indian Community Association, Carrington Street, Derby DE1 2ND. Refreshments will be provided and free parking is available.

A team of mental health experts from the Trust will be on hand to offer professional advice to anyone who may have questions on how to cope with stress, anxiety and depression, or to have a discussion with people who just wish to understand their mental health diagnosis and/or treatment in more depth. The panel of experts will include a Chief Nurse, Consultant Psychiatrist and Pharmacist.

"Anxiety and depression being the most common mental disorder in Britain"

Commenting on the mental health Q&A events, Carolyn Green, Executive Director of Nursing and Patient Experience for Derbyshire Healthcare, said: “Mental health problems affect one in four of us in any given year, but not many people know what signs and symptoms to look out for or how to improve their psychological wellbeing. We are launching this new series of mental health question and answer sessions in Derby to inform local people how they can manage their health better, cope more effectively with stress and thereby increase their capacity to enjoy life and be a part of a community.

“Mental health problems are one of the largest burden of disease in the UK with anxiety and depression being the most common mental disorder in Britain – almost 1 in 10 people meets the criteria for diagnosis. Hence the decision to select these conditions as the focus of our first session.”

Derbyshire Healthcare’s mental health Q&A sessions are not intended as an alternative way to seek a mental health diagnosis and/or treatment. Rather, the events are an opportunity for people to learn more about how they can reduce their risk of deterioration in their emotional wellbeing or to understand how to manage their own condition better. Not only this, but attendees will also get the chance to meet new people and make friends with others who might be living in similar circumstances. Questions may also be discussed with the health professionals on a one-to-one basis if preferred.